"If you have a loved one, who has any type of substance abuse problem, whether it's alcohol or street drugs, cocaine, heroin, that until they get treatment for their illness, this behavior repeats itself over and over again," he said.

The Democrat & Chronicle reported that drivers charged with misdemeanor DWI in Gates are typically processed at the police station and turned over to a sober driver. Ballard told the newspaper that drivers facing felony DWI charges are usually arraigned the same day, many times within hours.

Butler did not have a significant criminal history outside the DWI convictions, which was the reason why she was released. She now faces two counts of DWI and two counts of driving with a blood-alcohol content greater than .08 percent, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.
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